Predicting the top 5 rookies heading into the 2023

Predicting the top 5 rookies heading into the 2023–24 NBA season

HENDERSON, NEVADA - OCTOBER 04: Victor Wembanyama #1 of Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 and Scoot Henderson #0 of G League Ignite shake hands after their exhibition game at The Dollar Loan Center on October 04, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. Ignite defeated Metropolitans 92 122-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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Scoot Henderson NBA Draft (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

2. Scoot Henderson, Point Guard, Portland Trail Blazers

There’s been a whirl of rumors and reports of where Blazers superstar guard Damian Lillard will end up whether that’s the Miami Heat (his preferred destination), Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics, or anywhere else that the Blazers decide to trade Lillard.

Assuming the Blazers trade away Lillard, this will open up the door for Henderson as the face of the franchise moving forward and the keys to the offense as the primary initiator of attack. Henderson seems ready for whatever the Blazers decide to do either way.

Henderson is a downhill attacker with his electric athleticism and chiseled NBA-ready frame who can finish amongst the trees, which he showed during his two years while with the G-League Ignite.

The only question regarding Henderson is his perimeter jumper, shooting just 27.5% from three last year with the Ignite. Teams will sag off of him early on in his career until he addresses that weakness.

He still impacts the game in many ways, whether that’s using his speed and explosiveness to attack the basket and suck the defense in to create an open shot for a teammate, or getting out in transition and finishing strong at the basket.

Henderson is very self-assured in his abilities as a player, and assuming Lillard gets moved this summer, the Blazers have a wealth of young talent to be stoked about from him, Shaedon Sharpe, and Anfernee Simons as building blocks for the future.